Real world alert: Hellcat

[noxioux]

This is the Eduard kit, which was really, really good--and it didn't break the bank.  I wanted to do some WWII Pacific stuff, and kicked it off with this one.  The build was very smooth, except I broke the engine off it's mount--after I'd put the cowling on.  So I had to chop out and replace two of the lower cooling flaps.  It's pretty bad if you look close down there, but what the heck.  The rear wheel came from something that was definitely not a Hellcat.  And the antenna pretty much sucks--but it's the first time I tried stretched sprue for that.  There's a learning curve there.  But I figure, you gotta build in a certain margin of error, to keep the JMN's shaking their heads.

Not much else to tell, other than it's good to have another model finished.  I haven't been putting as much time into building as I'm used to.  But since winter's coming, I'm sure that will change.







Building the Hellcat gave me an interesting idea:  A swept-wing Wildcat, with an extra bank of cylinders and stretched cowling.  Sort of a "Triple Wasp".  Picture a BAE lightning mating with an F4-f, and you'll get the idea. . .

[Brian da Basher]

Well done, noxioux! You did an excellent job on the paint scheme, too!

I'd really like to see you whiff a Hellcat!

Brian da Basher

[Stargazer]

Is the blue a bit too deep, or is it something to do with the camera's settings? Great model, nonetheless.

Building the Hellcat gave me an interesting idea:  A swept-wing Wildcat, with an extra bank of cylinders and stretched cowling.  Sort of a "Triple Wasp".  Picture a BAE lightning mating with an F4-f, and you'll get the idea. . .

This sounds awesome! I really would love to see that!

[sequoiaranger]

>with an extra bank of cylinders and stretched cowling.  Sort of a "Triple Wasp". <

I had a similar idea for an Italian plane. We know how the Italians like tri-motors, eh? Mine would feature a triple-row engine with the third row able to disengage and shut down for cruising. Thus the third bank is a "booster" engine for take-off and emergencies. The parent aircraft will be the Caproni Campini tubby jet that has a long nose anyway (mine will be cut back a bit). The jet outlet will become a rear-defence gun position. Strap a torpedo on it, hoist it aboard the Aquila, and set off towards Alexandria to "Taranto" the British in 1943!!

It'll be called the Caproni Bandini (brand of fertilizer in the States).

[noxioux]

It'll be called the Caproni Bandini (brand of fertilizer in the States).

LOL.  At the MCAGCC 29 Palms, we always called the huge network of sewage treatment ponds "Lake Bandini"  We used to do our PFT runs down there, and it was. . . . . bad.

The blue looks OK to me, stargazer, but I've been wrong before.